The goal of this pilot cross sectional study is to identify participants at risk of vasovagal reaction/syncope(VVR/VVS) during office hysteroscopy. A predictive red flag classification system is being studied to improve procedural safety during office hysteroscopy. Researchers will perform office hysteroscopy as per the standard protocol by vaginoscopic technique. A nurse positioned at the head side of the participant will record signs and symptoms of VVR/VVS. The participant will be asked of the severity of the pain experienced during office hysteroscopy in relation to their menstrual cycle. The procedure will be discontinued at any point the participant wishes to stop.
Office hysteroscopy is increasingly utilized due to advancements in instrumentation and techniques; however, its adoption in routine gynecologic practice remains limited to 10-12% of cases. This under utilization is largely attributed to the perception of pain and lack of financial incentives. Consequently, fewer than 20% of gynecologists employ office hysteroscopy for the evaluation of intrauterine pathology. Although generally safe, vasovagal syncope (VVS) is the most concerning complication, with a reported prevalence ranging from 0.21% to 1.85%. Other complications include pain, infection, and bleeding. Surgeons often fail to anticipate vasovagal responses during the procedure. This study aims to develop a red flag classification system based on pain response to enable early recognition and prevention of VVS during office hysteroscopy. Research design This is a multicenter, cross-sectional, analytical pilot study enrolling women undergoing office hysteroscopy over 4 months. Sample Size Calculation Based on an estimated VVS rate of 6.3%, and using a 95% confidence interval, the sample size of 46 was calculated using Crutzen's online tool. Statistical Analysis Descriptive analysis will be conducted for continuous and categorical variables. Chi-square tests will evaluate the association between pain classification and vasovagal events. The STROBE checklist will guide reporting.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
46
In office hysteroscopy will utilize 1.9-2.9 mm hysteroscopes (primarily Bettocchi) by the technique of vaginoscopy, without anesthesia or up to level 3a analgesia, in accordance with International Consensus Statement for Recommended Terminology Describing Hysteroscopic Procedures. The choice of distension medium and hysteroscope is left to the operator's discretion. A nurse positioned at the head of the patient will record signs and symptoms of VVR/VVS.
Tanvir Hospital
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
To evaluate the feasibility of a predictive red flag classification system for identifying patients at risk of vasovagal syncope during office hysteroscopy(OH), with the goal of enhancing procedural safety.
During OH, a nurse positioned at the head of the patient will measure and record the tolerance level of the patient at the completion of the procedure using the Red flag Classification: Level Description Classification 0 Pain ≤ normal menstruation (Well tolerated) Green Flag 1. Pain \> menstruation, no signs of distress (Tolerated) Green Flag 2. Level 1 + objective signs (sweating, pallor, malaise) (Tolerated)Red Flag 3. Level 2 + facial pallor ± loss of consciousness (Not tolerated) Red Flag Normal menstruation is when the pain during periods does not interfere with daily activities. The level of pain tolerated by the women in relation to the menstruation. The feasibility will be assessed by 1) the checking the nurses records which capture the pain scores for any delays or missing data, 2 ) the number of post- procedural pain and tolerance score recorded by the nurse, 3) time taken to complete data 4)Completeness of the data. This information will be used to refine the protocol.
Time frame: The tolerance level will be assessed perioperative/periprocedural, i.e from the initiation of OH procedure until the completion of the OH procedure.
To assess the potential barriers in implementing the red flag classification system, as preparation for a future large-scale validation study
The potential barriers are assessed by 1) reviewing the recruitment rate versus the target sample size, 2 ) drop out rate, 3 ) nurses feedback on the ease of recording the tolerance classification, 4) Patient's understanding of the classification and their acceptability to report pain.
Time frame: The tolerance level will be assessed perioperative/periprocedural, i.e from the initiation of OH procedure until the completion of the OH procedure.
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